6th Grade - Redemption – God’s Grand Design (Full Year – BJUP)

Students will be learning more about God and his plan of salvation for all people. Students will apply God’s standards in establishing good Christian living skills.  Bible study aids, such as cross-references, concordances, Bible dictionaries and Bible commentaries, are used to help reinforce those skills..

7th Grade – Bible Truths Level A – Learning from the Life of Christ  (one semester-BJUP)

Students will be studying Christ’s example through His experiences, sermons, miracles, and parables. It is packed with detailed and interesting information about His ministries, miracles, and teachings. 

Case for Creator and More Than a Carpenter (one semester – Novel Study)

From this material, students will continue to learn that: Jesus is the One and Only God, we can trust the whole Bible as the reliable and inspired Word of God, only Christ could have fulfilled all of the 60 major prophecies in the OT, the only way to God is through His Son, and that life cannot exist without an all powerful Creator God. 

8th Grade – Bible Truths Level B – Portraits from the Old Testament (one semester-BJUP)

This study will provide a foundation for learning what the Bible teaches about the consequences of attitudes and actions.  Personal application is emphasized to help students understand the rewards and challenges of the Christian life.

To the Ends of the Earth: The Birth and Early Expansion of the Church (one semester - ACSI)

Students will witness the birth and expansion of the early church. Along the journey, their minds will be stretched and their values will be challenged. This course is designed to teach principles for Christian living from the example of the early church as recorded in Acts. The course is designed for junior high students and the upper-level questions integrated into the course are intended to lead to self-examination and application.

We believe that mathematic principles are a glimpse of God’s orderliness and absolute truth.  Our mathematics curriculum is thorough in skill and concept development that includes a systematic review and extension of those concepts and skills. Biblical truths are integrated in natural ways as seen through God’s order and design of our universe.  

6th Grade Math (ACSI)

Math 6 is a comprehensive course emphasizing basic number concepts and skills involved in the manipulation of whole numbers, decimal numbers, fractions, ratios and percents. Topics such as geometry, algebra, patterns, estimation, money, measurement, time, probability and statistics are introduced and developed. In preparation for pre-algebra, integers are presented. Solving equations and elementary graphing are explored. In addition, students learn both study and note-taking skills necessary for student success in future courses. Throughout the course, students are exposed to various problem solving situations, which emphasize thinking, reasoning and communication. Sixth-grade learners will solve such problems both individually and in cooperative groups. Course materials include use of manipulatives and technology.

7th Grade Math (ACSI)

Intermediate Course B will thoroughly prepare students for entrance into Pre-Algebra and high school level math as it continues to build and strengthen the foundational skills of mathematics.  The course is developed on the principles of concept understanding, skill development, mathematical thinking, and strategies for problem solving.  Students will be appropriately challenged while connecting the study of mathematics to real life.

8th Grade - Pre-Algebra/Advanced Pre-Algebra   (Glencoe)

Pre-Algebra is a year long course that reviews arithmetic skills systematically in order to be successful in basic algebra.  The goal of Pre-algebra is to develop fluency with rational numbers and proportional relationships. Students will extend their elementary skills and begin to learn algebra concepts that serve as a transition into formal Algebra and Geometry. Topics include:

• Chapter 1 The Tools of Algebra 
• Chapter 2 Integers 
• Chapter 3 Equations 
• Chapter 4 Factors and Fractions 
• Chapter 5 Rational Numbers 
• Chapter 6 Ratio, Proportion, and Percent 
• Chapter 7 Equations and Inequalities 
• Chapter 8 Functions and Graphing 
• Chapter 9 Real Numbers and Right Triangles 
• Chapter 10 Two-Dimensional Figures 
• Chapter 11 Three-Dimensional Figures 
• Chapter 12 More Statistics and Probability 
• Chapter 13 Polynomials and Nonlinear Functions

Students will learn to think flexibly about relationships among fractions, decimals, and percents. Number and operation sense, estimation skills, and the ability to judge reasonableness of results will be strengthened in the context of practical applications and problem solving. Students will learn to recognize and generate equivalent expressions and solve and graph simple equations and inequalities. Students will investigate and explore mathematical ideas and develop multiple strategies for analyzing complex situations. Students will analyze situations verbally, numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Students will apply mathematical skills and make meaningful connections to real-world situations such as traveling, banking, budgeting, and consumerism.

Our Social Studies program is one where students are encouraged to see history as God’s hand on the nations over time.  BJUP curriculum highlights the hand of God through History: His sovereignty over the earth, His immutable character, His omnipresence and His divine plan in history.   Using excellent hands-on activities, exciting group investigations and thorough individual coursework, the curriculum appeals to all four learning types.  Presenting history from a clear, in-depth, and Godly perspective, students will be actively engaged as they learn the lessons of history.  From Creation and the ancient world to modern day studies, this curriculum builds a thorough understanding of culture, politics, and the growth of the United States as we study history as His-story.

6th Grade – Ancient History (BJUP)

 Students will be learning about the culture and people of the ancient civilizations.  They will be studying the history of Egypt, Israel, China, Greece, Africa, Roman world, the Middle Ages and the Mayas.  It is a year full of explorations as we travel and learn together.
 
7th Grade – World Studies (BJUP)

Beginning with the growth of towns after the Dark Ages and continuing through the twentieth century.  These lessons present a historical, geographic, and thematic survey of the foundations of modern civilizations. 

8th Grade – The American Republic (U.S. History) (BJUP)

Students will be involved in a comprehensive survey of the history and heritage of the United States with a Christian perspective on events and people. 
Eighth Grade Social Studies also includes a unit on the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois.  All students are required to pass an examination on these documents in order to receive a certificate of graduation.  This is typically covered during one full quarter of the year.

Students will read both classic and contemporary literature in the light of Biblical truth and learn how to spiritually apply those truths to life’s challenges.  Students are exposed to a multi-cultural variety of genres and styles.  They will grow in literary appreciation, improve analytical skills and demonstrate high verbal aptitudes through formal written essays, detailed oral response, and project oriented activities.  This will enable students to read critically, research responsibly, and develop well-supported opinions presented in grammatically cohesive papers.


Language Arts 6


Language Arts 6 aims to develop students’ thinking skills.  Students will be encouraged to deepen their analysis skills, learning how to study the texts by digging deeper beyond plot and character, and exploring important biblical themes throughout.  The theme for Language Arts 6 is “Perspectives.”  Students are asked to explore the role of characters in societies to examine point of view, voice, and character relationships, ultimately asking students to identify their own roles and perspectives.  The foundation for future expository writing will be introduced, teaching students to form persuasive opinions, write a variety of introductions and conclusions, develop organized and focused paragraphs, and select quotes that connect to given themes.  In this way, students will begin the road toward strong expository writing.  Narrative writing and report writing skills will also be developed throughout the year, rounding out the exploration of writing.  Students will study grammar to encourage mechanical growth in all aspects of writing; focus will be on sentence structure, nouns, prepositions, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and comma usage.  Finally, the creative component will merge writing with performance to assist students in presenting their ideas to others.
Through the literature explored, students will begin to ask the following questions:

• Why is it important to explore the relationship between characters?
• How can we identify and recognize voice in writing?
• What theme is the author conveying, and how can we prove this?
• What do our actions say about us?
• How can we recognize God in the world around us?
• What types of conflicts exist, and how do characters respond to them?
• What ultimately leads to a story’s resolution?
• What does it mean to grow up?

Language Arts 7

Seventh graders continue their literary development by delving further into the examination of the language of text, locating imagery, similes, metaphors, diction, word choice, sentence fluency, and punctuation of the text.  Students are asked to examine these nuances of language to hear how language is being written.  As a result, students will be able to analyze the effect of the writer’s style on tone, mood, the variety of voices, and theme of a text.  As students practice reading texts critically, they can begin to develop as critical writers, building a foundation for the future demands of expository writing.  Thus, the foundation of expository writing will continue to be developed.   The theme of this year is “The Importance of Things Unseen.”  Students will break down excerpts of texts to observe how authors write as artists, analyzing the effects on the audience.   The study of grammar will continue so that a strong mechanical foundation is built; units focused on include verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and punctuation marks.
Through the literature explored, students will begin to ask the following questions:

• How does prayer sustain us?
• How should we handle hardships, and how do we handle hardships?
• What archetypes exist within literature, and what do these archetypes mean?
• How do the themes the author presents connect to one another?
• How do literary devices help an author to convey meaning?
• Can you identify quotes that are important to a developing theme?
• How might authors use symbolism? 
• Which quotes from a text are the strongest in supporting your ideas?
• How do you compose a written argument and a multi-paragraph essay?

Introduction to Literature 8

Introduction to Literature prepares students for high school literature and composition courses, calling students to hone their analysis skills while inviting them to discover meaning hidden within challenging texts.  Each year a different theme  will be identified as we study through the texts and we explore the literature together as a class; students will be encouraged to inquire about their own roles in society.  Throughout the year, process assignments will foster growth and understanding of the connections that emerge between reader and text, encouraging the students to step out as readers to explore the personal conversations we have with literature.  Through the literature, students will examine a variety of themes and essential questions, including the following:

• What leads us into growth?
• What hinders our ability to grow?
• What role do knowledge and wisdom play in our lives?
• How do we respond to atrocities as Christians?
• How do we walk our own walk as Christians in a fallen society?
• How or when is the journey more important than the outcome?
• What rites of passage and initiations do we encounter along the way?
• How can pain and struggle build a better self?
• How do we respond to choice?

Formal pieces of expository and creative writing will be developed, and grammar will be studied in context.  Focus will be on pronoun-antecedent agreement, sentence fluency, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation marks.  Students will learn how to write focused and debatable thesis statements and construct effective essays to support their ideas, practicing the revision process while participating in peer editing and feedback sessions.  Creative pieces will also be developed in order to make the literature we study real to each student.  We will work together on this to form a community of passionate and capable writers and thinkers.  By the end of the year, students are asked to have found the golden thread that connects the texts to one another, examining their own journeys along the way.  
 

Middle school PE is designed to help the students continue to develop age appropriate physical awareness.  Students may participate in such sports as kickball, speed-away, flag football, soccer, volley ball, bowling, swimming, physical fitness, softball, strength training, , and various team building games.  All skills necessary for successful, safe participation are taught.  Every class period begins with stretching and exercises that are critical to participation and success in the Presidential Fitness Challenge.  The importance of regular exercise as it applies to the care and maintenance of our God given bodies is stressed.  Assessment is based on preparation, participation, effort and self improvement, not competition.

7th Grade Health (ACSI – one semester)

This course is designed to help the students develop healthy Christ like attitudes that will strengthen their physical, mental, social and spiritual health.  This course utilizes the Total Health curriculum which is designed to help the students build a healthy self image that reflects who they are in Christ.  Reading, discussion, projects and parental input are essential to this course. Total Health is designed to reflect the idea that a “young person’s health is multidimensional.  Spiritual health influences physical, mental and social health, and all of these play an important role in the success of students living up to the potential God intends for their lives.   The curriculum is interactive and engaging and each course is designed to present the Bible as the foundation for life and to provide students with the tools for making wise choices.

Science is understood as God’s creation and is taught from the creationist perspective. Our science is a well designed and God-based science curriculum focused on God’s awesome creation power in the study of the various sciences. Anatomy, botany, astronomy, and archaeology are only a few topics covered in the material to help root students in God’s laws of science and His divine plan for the universe He created.  A thorough study of these topics, provide material which encourages critical thinking skills for students to learn rather than simple memorization efforts.  Class investigations, hands-on experiments, and individual coursework are available helps which aid the teacher in presenting a most comprehensive and in-depth science study based on the truths of God’s word.

6th Grade Science (BJUP)

Our  focus for 6th grade concentrates on God’s wonderful creation through earth, cells and organisms, matter and energy, astronomy, heredity and the nervous and immune system. Hand’s on easy-to-do demonstrations and experiments, along with research projects help the material come alive for students.
  
7th Grade – Life Science (BJUP)

Presented from a biblical worldview, integrated Life Science is a hands-on, laboratory based course designed to explore the fundamental principles of the life sciences. Through the class investigations, students are introduced to dissection and microscopy techniques. They also have the opportunity to gain skill in standard laboratory procedures like measuring, making solutions, using indicators, and observing reactions which are necessary for success in future coursework.  Lessons are presented within a biblical framework that emphasizes the authority of scripture and a scientist’s responsibility to his creator.  Students will develop an understanding of the basic life science topics offered in this course. Organism classification, cellular biology, genetics, and the differences between Creation and evolution provide a firm foundation for the chapters on microbiology, botany, zoology, ecology, and human anatomy.  Students will continue to develop critical thinking and laboratory skills necessary for success in future coursework. 
 
8th Grade – Space and Earth Science (BJUP)

This course is designed to help students develop an understanding about the earth on which they live and the universe of which it is a part.  They will see the perfection of God’s design in a study of the earth, including the atmosphere, the lithosphere, and the hydrosphere. Students will see God’s creation proclaimed through the young-earth creationary view of earth’s history, outer space, meteorology, geology, and oceanography/hydrology. The unit on geology is presented in these general areas of study: composition of earth and how we use/misuse those materials, the study and application of maps and map reading, the study of the forces that act on/in the earth i.e. earthquakes, volcanoes, rivers, etc.

The following courses are designed to encourage students to use imagination and creativity as they explore the elective of their choice.  As always, our goal is for students to see God at work in every area of learning. Electives are either semester or quarter long classes and may change on a yearly basis.

Computer Skills – Keyboarding and/or Simple Gaming

This course is designed to develop the student’s ability to keyboard, create and save documents, spell check and correct errors and format different documents. Speed and accuracy are assessed and goals are set for each student to increase their skills. 

ART I - Fundamentals of drawing 

Students will learn the basics of drawing using various medias such as pencils, charcoal, chalk, and pen and ink, to name o few, while being exposed to different subjects such as still life, landscape, portrait, etc.,  with an intro to art history. Art history will introduce the students to the eras in art and characteristics of those time periods.

ART II -  Mixed Media

 
Students will be exposed to different paint media, mixing medias together, and sculpture.  Students will have the opportunity to help with the FBA Musical set for the Peter Pan production in April.  Students will also be introduced to and study some of the Masters of painting.

Drama (open to 8th grade students) 

With an extremely interactive environment, class time will be spent on learning the art of acting!  Students will learn improvisation techniques, recitation of monologue, performance of dialogue and troupe performance, techniques for improving character development, non-verbal communication, and voice.
World Music Drumming
Come have fun and enjoy the music of other cultures as we learn basic drum patterns on the Tubano and Conga type drums, Latin and African instruments, rattles, bells, large Gathering drums, xylophone, and alto xylophone, all executed with singing and movement. We will be engage in cross curricular studies of Africa, South America, American Indian and Jamaica as well.

World Music Drumming

Come have fun and enjoy the music of other cultures as we learn basic drum patterns on the Tubano and Conga type drums, Latin and African instruments, rattles, bells, large Gathering drums, xylophone, and alto xylophone, all executed with singing and movement. We will be engage in cross curricular studies of Africa, South America, American Indian and Jamaica as well.

Cardio Fitness/Strength Training 

This class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to improve their cardio -endurance and learn the benefits of  physical conditioning as it applies to long term health  Circuit weight training will  involve aerobic (using oxygen) as well as anaerobic (not using oxygen) work capacities.  The students will learn correct procedures on stretching, lifting and performing each circuit.  Over the term of the  course, the students will keep a chart to monitor their own target heart rate while performing the cardio activity and chart their progress as they work toward their goals.


Journalism/Current Events 

We will be looking at the way information is gathered and dispersed in our world today.  What does it mean to be a journalist and what makes a good journalist?  Do they have a responsibility to “tell the story” truthfully or just “break the news”?  Students in this class will also be touching on current events as they happen today and students may be writing their own feature story or exploring that of others as they learn to discern what makes news trustworthy. Or they may be involved in the aspect of journalism that is opinion based: i.e. reviews, columns, editorials, as well as online blogs, discussion boards, wiki as it relates to the topic.

Yearbook – (this class will be limited to representation from each grade)

Students will be working on the creation of the FBA yearbook for the 11-12 school year.  There may be some after school hours required as the deadline for the final copy approaches.  Students will be trained on page layouts, uploading of photographs, and final copy requirements.  The yearbook will be the result of the students design and handiwork.  

Creative Survival 

Did you ever wonder what to have for that after school snack when no one is home?? What do you do when you can’t find anything clean to wear?? Did you ever wonder what all of that silverware is for when you go to the restaurant?  Do you love to bake or did you ever want to try?  This course is for you!!!

Music/Band

Musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning.  There is a link between music and spatial intelligence, the ability to perceive the world accurately and to form mental pictures of things. Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized test such as the SAT and they may achieve higher grades in high school. Through music study, students can learn the value of sustained effort to achieve excellence and the concrete rewards of hard work.  Students have the opportunity to tryout for our spring musical production each year. 

Band is offered to all students 5^th grade and up.  Parents contract with the visiting band teacher on a semester basis.  Both beginning and advanced band is offered one day per week after school hours.